Re fitbits, etc. I've been using a Jawbone UP 24 for about four months. I'd say it's interesting to use, and I'm strangely addicted to it, but it doesn't actually do all that much. The sleep tracker is certainly interesting; usefully it syncs with My Fitness Pal so exercise you have input to the UP ap and steps/running you have done automatically adjust calorie needs in MFP; and it has some neat motivational stuff. The new version that measures heart rate through the day and night might be useful. But I don't think the think is particularly accurate - feels about right but not completely right. It would be no substitute for a Garmin or similar for proper training.

Edit - to sum up, if you're a fat-ass looking to get in shape, then a Jawbone in conjunction with various other aps is for you. If you're a serious athlete then it's of interest, but not your main gadget. Truly, for anyone who wants to shed some fat, My Fitness Pal is absolutely the thing. Most weight loss is about diet rather than exercise. I lost 1 1/2 stone over six months using My Fitness Pal in conjunction with a trainer once a week and a sensible, but by no means absurd, exercise regime. Anyone in London who wants an awesome PT can PM me as mine is superb.

Re fitbits, etc. I've been using a Jawbone UP 24 for about four months. I'd say it's interesting to use, and I'm strangely addicted to it, but it doesn't actually do all that much. The sleep tracker is certainly interesting; usefully it syncs with My Fitness Pal so exercise you have input to the UP ap and steps/running you have done automatically adjust calorie needs in MFP; and it has some neat motivational stuff. The new version that measures heart rate through the day and night might be useful. But I don't think the think is particularly accurate - feels about right but not completely right. It would be no substitute for a Garmin or similar for proper training.

Edit - to sum up, if you're a fat-ass looking to get in shape, then a Jawbone in conjunction with various other aps is for you. If you're a serious athlete then it's of interest, but not your main gadget. Truly, for anyone who wants to shed some fat, My Fitness Pal is absolutely the thing. Most weight loss is about diet rather than exercise. I lost 1 1/2 stone over six months using My Fitness Pal in conjunction with a trainer once a week and a sensible, but by no means absurd, exercise regime. Anyone in London who wants an awesome PT can PM me as mine is superb.

PT, not so much. Wouldn't mind knowing a good gym or two though, as I'm moving to London in five weeks. Do people do hot yoga there? Or is that more of a Yankee thing...

PT, not so much. Wouldn't mind knowing a good gym or two though, as I'm moving to London in five weeks. Do people do hot yoga there? Or is that more of a Yankee thing...

There is hot yoga in London but I recall it being a bit smelly. If you google there are a few around the west end and in the immediate suburbs.

A number of independent spin studios have started popping up, if that's your thing. As a rule of thumb London tends to be a year behind fitness 'innovations' in the US.

Gyms range from the very high end, like Equinox, which is in Kensington, Bath & Rackets, which is a private club in Mayfair, and one in Chelsea (name escapes me). They are expensive and probably not worth it unless you are right on their doorstep. Then there are mid-range small chains like Third Space, which is in the west end - I used to go there and it is good but not convenient for me now - and GymBox which I use and which has around five branches across central London - I like it as it has the things I need and my PT is based there, but you have to go outside of peak times or it is unusable. Then there are the usual bottom end chains like Fitness First, which have branches everywhere but IME are not particularly comfortable.

Finally, I believe there are various bootcamps like Barry's Boot Camp, British Military Fitness and various cross-fit type things, which I have never used so can't comment on.

@culverwood Haven't picked a location yet. We're looking at the North Southwark-Bermondsey area, possibly the Angel area. The relocation expert wants to show us Clapham, but it seems a bit far from Canary Wharf (Mrs. Hedonist's new workplace) and I've been told its overrun with Aussies. And of course Greenwich has an undeniable charm. (To bring it back around) I like to imagine myself setting my GMT II to the observatory clock. It's going to be a whirlwind tour the first few weeks.

I had a feeling there would be some resistance to hot Yoga, haha. It's not exactly the most... dignified of recreational activities. What the detractors don't tell you is the die-hards are so damn fit & healthy they don't really have much to spread. But I digress.

I'd probably be happy with a fitness center that's nice enough to keep the machines clean and the towels plentiful without trying to fool me into thinking that lifting heavy objects should be a luxury experience.

I cannot claim to know the area but 37 degrees in North Sourthwark has a good reputation, and that is a part of town which is on the up or up already. Clapham sounds like a long trek to Canary Wharf but the relocation agent may know something I do not and Greenwich though lovely is a little out of it. All of the places I mention are "South of the River" which of course means where dragons live and are off my and most cabbies maps

Edit - In your shoes Angel looks the best bet and if the commute works Islington is central, with its own vibe and for the most part is decent property. (which I think is what Dachshund thinks too)Edited by culverwood - 4/10/15 at 6:26am

"Clapham" is quite a broad area - parts are nice, others not so. But it would be quite a schlep from there to Canary Wharf. I used to live there (still have a place there we rent out). It's in what estate agents call "Abbeville Village", which is one of the nice parts - decent pubs and restaurants, near the common, youngish crowd).

Greenwich would be easier but it's a bit of an odd place - the observatory and park are nice, but I've never found the town itself that nice. If you're interested in that area then consider Blackheath, which is just up the hill from Greenwich and has a nice village feel to it and some nice architecture. Don't let your agent pull you into any surrounding areas though as it quickly gets pretty grubby in Lewisham, Kidbrooke, New Cross, etc.

Angel is good fun, buzzy, young crowd, good shops and nightlife, some nice architecture. You can walk to the city from there. I don't know how the links to Canary Wharf are.

By all accounts I wouldn't want to live in Canary Wharf - a bit like a CBD that empties at the weekend - but some of the areas along the river, like Bermondsey, Shad Thames, Wapping, etc. have some nice warehouse conversions and more going for them at the weekend.

Edit: I should add, I agree with Culverwood, Greenwich (and Blackheath) is a bit far out. If you want the buzz of central London then they ain't for you. More like suburban villages.

It doesn't smell at every studio... That might be one of those growing pains you find when hot yoga is relatively new to an area; it requires high-power climate control system and a vigilant cleaning staff = not a casual investment for a proprietor. The only thing I smell in that hot room full of trophy wives where I go (::checks over his shoulder::) is a faint whisper of almond.

Yes, Angel would probably be my pick, though I'm told I might get more closet space in North Southwark. Guess I'll see what's on the market when I get there! My thanks for all the tips gents.